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I am a St.Mary star of the sea graduate. I can honestly say im so lucky to have had amazing teachers, Staff, and classmates. I am now returning to St.Marys to complete hours of observation in a classroom for one of my college classes because thats where i feel love and support.

- submitted by a community member

January 30, 2013

I have a child in 6th grade and it is very heartbreaking that OUR School is closing. This is a wonderful school and they are taking away OUR Family!. The kids are getting a great education along with lots of caring teachers and a feeling as if this is their second home. It is very devistating to know that these kids have to go to another school where there is 34 kids in one class, where no one knows then, where there not cared for like they are now. Gee thank you Mr. Archdiocese of NY youve done a great job............NOT!!!!!

- submitted by a parent

January 24, 2013

I AM MOTHER OF TWO LITTLE GIRLS THAT ARE GROWING, LOVING ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA IF NO WORDS TO SAID HOW LOVING PLACE THIS IS .AND EVERYONE WORK WITH THEIR HEART AND LOVE TO TEACH EACH THE STUDENTS .MY EXPERIENCE IN THIS SCHOOL IS A WONDERFUL ONE.ONE IS IN PREK AND ONE IN KINDERGARTEN.IF ANYONE ASK ME WHAT SCHOOL TO PUT THEIR CHILDREN I WILL SAID PUT THEM IN ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA THIS IS THE BEST SCHOOL EVER .

- submitted by a parent

January 14, 2013

My daughter has been attending this school since Kindergarten and is now in the first grade. She and I truly love it. The teachers are exceptional! They are caring and educated people which help make the kids educational experience a wonderful and healthy one. The Kindergarten teacher is the best there is. You won't find another like her in any school in the Bronx. The school has does great on its test scores and the children are well disciplined. It is small but as they say "the best things come in small packages" and this is the BEST! The quiet location overlooking the sound in City Island helps keep the kids focused and happy. Need I say more?

- submitted by a parent

October 07, 2011

My child is a new student to this school and he absolutely loves it. I love it and my husband loves it. The teachers genuinely care about the students and they have an outstanding curriculum. My child previously attended one of the "best" public school in the bronx and I pulled him out within a week. This school is what an elementary school should look like , sound like and be like. Kudos to the principal and staff.

- submitted by a parent

April 15, 2011

As a former student and mother who is looking to enroll her daughter in the Pre-K program, I have nothing but nice things to say about this school and it's staff. I attended SMSS from Pre-K to 8th and I haven't seen it looking better than it does today. The teachers are professional and caring. Each staff member treats each child as their own and has their best interests at heart. The discipline is strict but loving. They expect only good things from the children and care about their future in schooling and in life. They all want the children to be well rounded indivduals who respect each other and all around them. With many schools lacking art, music, computer, or physical education, SMSS is unique in the way it continues to fight for and maintain all special activites for the children. All in all there is a comfortable and special feeling here at SMSS. I would recommend it highly to anyone anywhere!!!!

- submitted by a community member

June 19, 2010

My experience with St. Mary's has been horrible. I'm was very surprised that the parents are not involved with the school. Many of the children (90%) are commuted from Coop City. The school offers free bus service provided by the City which also picks up children attending the neighboring public schools. The computer classes are combined within the classroom. There are no outside activities (especially for the PreK) children. The principal's is a dictator rather than a mentor. The teachers are afraid to speak and often d

- submitted by a parent

May 23, 2010

I believe this school had seen it's better days. The teachers are all burnt out, they yell and scream at every little problem before they take the time to evaluate a situation. The way they discipline the children is a form of a military camp, and not for children that are 5 and 6 years old. If a child is misbehaving beyond control, just contact the parent, dont take matters into your own hands. My son is out of there. GOOD LUCK TO THE FAMILIES THAT STAY.

- submitted by a parent

no rating
May 03, 2010

I love this school because I believe they really care deeply about the students and their education. I also believe the discipline in this school is one of the best!

- submitted by a parent

no rating
September 24, 2009

I disagree with the parent who claims that most City Island families are afraid of the diversity that SMSS brings to its school. Most parents on City Island have chosen the public school because their taxes pay for a free public school education which happens to be highly rated. Why would most parents choose a private school with tuition when they can get the same (or better) education for free? As for tuition - parents will have plenty of opportunities to pay for schooling when the kids go to college!

- submitted by a community member

September 02, 2009

this school is a nice school and teaches you displineb

- submitted by a student

no rating
December 28, 2008

I just joined this school in September of '08 and I love it. The teachers are wonderful and so is everything else

- submitted by a student

August 30, 2008

I am a student of this school. I love this school. Its a small school, the kids and teachers are great and are fun to be around. I am entering the 8th grade this year. Since coming to this school since the 3rd grade i've change alot and had a fun lreaning expereince. I am going to miss this school.

- submitted by a student

June 13, 2008

I go to the this school it's small butI love love the school.The teachers are nice and give as much homework as children need.

- submitted by a student

March 25, 2008

PROs: We ve found St. Mary, Star of the Sea School to be a small, academically rigorous school with attentive and caring staff as well as a respectful, motivated, and diverse student body. A welcomed mix of black and Hispanic children from Co-op City and white children from City Island come together to learn and play at this close-knit school. By reputation, St. Mary s has considerably fewer discipline and noise issues than the nearby public school (P.S. 175) does. CONs: The school schedule conflicts with some parents tight work schedules. (St. Mary s closes at 11:30 in the morning on the first Friday of every month, with no aftercare available. Also, the Easter recess is two full weeks, not one week as at many other parochial schools.)

- submitted by a parent

January 09, 2008

I love this school. Walking down the halls is wallking down the halls of home. I came from the cold harsh open noise public school and it was awesome feel safe! check this school out its one of a kind!

- submitted by a student

November 06, 2007

I am a Coop City resident for 8 years and my daughter attends St. Mary's in the second grade. The academics so far is what I expected being a graduate of Catholic School. The curriculum is well rounded, with a good amount of homework daily to reinforce the lesson. The staff is very caring, and because the school is small the students are being taught in a home like atmosphere. The school does seem to be lacking diversity, however I do see some City Island residents bringing thier children to the school. Overall, I think it's a worthwhile investment in my child's future!

- submitted by a parent

June 20, 2007

I am a former student of the school( 2nd-8th grade) and I must say it was a great experience. It's a very family like school environment. The only negative thing about this school is the lack extracurricular activities while I attend,but I heard about a new after school program they have added an more!! It's a school worth checking out for your child

- submitted by a student

March 23, 2006

Less than 200 total students, nearly all of black or hispanic heritage from Coop City, keep alive this Catholic school in the all-white enclave of City Island. Teaching quality about the same as a public school but without the discipline issues. Quiet but stiff relations with City Island townies and parish members.

- submitted by a parent

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